In this paper, the performance of a synthetic fiber filter aimed at high-speed operation and dosed with different coagulants or filter aids was investigated. Without a coagulant, the filter efficiency was about 62% which was greatly enhanced when three types of coagulants namely PAC, Alum, and FeCl3 were used. Among the coagulants tested, PAC was the most effective, giving 91% filter efficiency, followed by Alum with 90%, and FeCl3 with 78%. PAC worked effectively at a very small range of dose, but Alum was relatively effective in a wide range of concentration. Compared with PAC and Alum, FeCl3 provided more or less contant efficiency regardless of its dose but gave the poorest filter efficiency. Moreover, as the inflow turbidity increased, headloss increased and the efficiency decreased at any dose and type of coagulant. The headloss recorded in this particular synthetic fiber filter is not significant as compared to that observed in typical granular filters. The recovery of solids estimated after filter cleaning was about 80% for both PAC and Alum, but poorer at 72% in the case of FeCl3 due to the heavy and large floc characteristics. The recurrence of filter efficiency verified through repetitive filter runs was found to be satisfactory.

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of black sesame oil on hair growth in a shaving animal model of C57BL/6 mice. Five-week-old male mice were acclimated for one week under 22±1 µl room temperature, 50±5% relative humidity, and 12 hours of a light/dark cycle before beginning the experiment. The animals were divided into three groups, including the normal group (saline, N), positive control group (3% MXD, PC), and experimental group (black sesame oil, E) and received topical application of 100 µl once per day, six days per week, for a period of three weeks. Hair regrowth was evaluated by gross and histological examination. In addition, immunohistochemical observation for SCF, the activities of enzymes, including ALP and γ-GT, and the expression quantity of growth factors, including IGF-1 in the skin of mice was performed or evaluated. Topical treatment with black sesame oil and 3% minoxidil for three weeks to dorsal skin resulted in more rapid acceleration of hair regrowth in the E and PC groups than in the N group. Development and elongation of hair follicles were promoted in the E and PC groups, compared with the N group. Serum ALP activity was significantly higher in the E group, compared with the N group within three weeks (p<0.05). Skin ALP activity was significantly higher in the PC group, compared with the N group within two weeks (p<0.05), and higher in the E and PC groups than in the N group within three weeks with no significant differences. Serum γ-GT activity was significantly higher in the PC group, compared with the N group within two weeks (p<0.01), and significantly higher in the E group, compared with the N group within three weeks (p<0.05). Skin γ-GT activity was significantly higher in the PC group, compared with the N group within two weeks (p<0.05), and significantly higher in the PC (p<0.01) and E (p<0.001) groups, compared with the N group within three weeks. IGF-1 expression in the skin was significantly higher in the PC and E groups, compared with the N group (p<0.01). SCF antigens were heavily stained in bulge, stem cells, and dermal papilla and middle stained in inner root sheath, outer root sheath, and epidermis in the E and PC groups. These results indicate that black sesame oil effectively stimulated hair growth in an animal model via several mechanisms and that it can be used practically for hair growth or prevention of hair loss in human beings.